PIL Filed In Kerala High Court Challenging KSRTC's Free Bus Travel Scheme For Women, Transgender Persons

A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed before the Kerala High Court challenging the State Government's newly launched scheme granting free travel to women and transgender persons in Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) buses.The petition, filed by the Centre for Consumer Education, Pala, seeks review of Government Order, which introduced the "Priyadarshini" scheme under the State Government's broader “Indira Guarantee” programme. The scheme came into force today (June 15) and, in its first phase, allows women and transgender passengers to travel free of charge on KSRTC ordinary services.According to the petition, the scheme was announced and implemented without any comprehensive study of its financial, operational, or constitutional implications. The petitioner contends that extending fare exemption solely on the basis of gender creates an arbitrary classification among public transport users and violates the constitutional guarantee of equality under Article 14.The PIL argues that the benefit is available regardless of economic status, allowing affluent women to travel free while economically weaker male passengers continue to pay fares. The petitioner claims that such a distinction lacks a rational nexus with any legitimate welfare objective and cannot be justified merely as a special provision for women under Article 15(3) of the Constitution.The challenge also raises concerns about the financial impact of the scheme on the State exchequer and KSRTC's already strained finances. The petition also states that the existing monthly financial support extended by the Government of Kerala to KSRTC is Rs. 50 crores towards operational assistance and Rs. 70 crores towards pension obligations, totaling approximately Rs. 120 crores per month which in turn means Rs. 1,440 crores per annum for the operation of approximately 4,000 buses. The petitioner argues that with the introduction of the “Indira Guarantee” the State Government would be required to additionally reimburse KRTC on account of the loss of fare revenue attributable to the women passengers. “Reimbursing the lost fare revenue will impose an enormous recurring burden on the State exchequer, exacerbating the already severe financial concerns regarding KSRTC's viability,” PIL avers. The petition argues that women who depend on private buses on routes not served by KSRTC are excluded from the benefit, resulting in unequal treatment among similarly situated passengers.The petitioner further contends that subsidising travel exclusively through KSRTC provides a commercial advantage to the state-owned corporation at the expense of private operators, potentially distorting competition in the transport sector.The PIL alleges that the State failed to conduct any impact assessment, stakeholder consultation, or expert evaluation before implementing the policy. It also claims that the decision was primarily driven by an electoral promise rather than a structured public policy exercise.Case Title: Centre For Consumer Education v State of Kerala and Ors.Counsel for Petitioners: Johnson Manayani, Jeevan Mathew Manayani

PIL Filed In Kerala High Court Challenging KSRTC's Free Bus Travel Scheme For Women, Transgender Persons

Anamika MJ

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Anamika MJ

PIL Filed In Kerala High Court Challenging KSRTC's Free Bus Travel Scheme For Women, Transgender Persons

Anamika MJ

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Anamika MJ

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